This semester I have had the privilege to work with a distinguished colleague, Nepeta Cataria. Nepeta has worked with us this semester on the Howdy! Farm, helping out when she gets time and providing her expertise. We all appreciate her taking the time out of her busy schedule to help us out and teach us all a little more about horticulture. Here are a few things she has taught us during her time here: 1. Proper inspection of young vegetables for pests and diseases. Scouting the field is a vital part of disease and pest management. Early detection is vital to reducing the incidence and severity of pest and pathogen outbreaks. An easy way to prevent plant disease and pest outbreaks is to simply check on your plants frequently. If you have a garden, when you're watering or weeding or doing any other common maintenance task, go ahead and spend a few extra minutes looking at the undersides of leaves and looking for any signs that you could have a pest infestation or a potential disease starting. Paying attention to simple things like crinkled leaves (aphids?), large spots on the foliage (some kind of infection?), or other abnormal growth or damage to your plants can go a long way in helping to either treat the problem or prevent it from spreading. I can't name every possible plant disease or pest here, but you can learn a surprising amount from simple Google searches or checking with your local extension service. In addition to scouting, good management practices go a long way in reducing issues with disease. Keep your garden well-weeded, trees and shrubs properly pruned, and water the right amount at the proper time of day and you will see a lot less disease. While sometimes diseases and pests are unavoidable, if these guidelines are followed, the risks will be significantly reduced. Nepeta did us a great service by inspecting these young turnips earlier this semester. She determined that they were clean and healthy. 2. How to keep large pieces of petrified wood warm. This is important because... I... I'm not sure. 3. How to do whatever this is. In addition to the tasks mentioned above, Nepeta has helped us with countless other things, including applying manure, aerating the soil, catching insect pests, eating the weeds, and harassing the birds. It has truly been an honor and a privilege to work with you, Nepeta. I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors. Thank you again for writing me that letter of recommendation. With her permission, I am posting it here:
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Yes. All of the titles that have quotes are direct quotes I heard during my Howdy! Farm internship.
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